Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
2
Biodiversity
Scientific Measurements of Environmental Healthy
Importance of Healthy Natural Environments for
Individuals & Society
Biodiversity is the variety of all
life forms on earth - the
different plants, animals and
micro-organisms and the
ecosystems of which they are a
part.
Refers to the variety of life and its
interrelationships within natural
environments
Contributes to the sustainability and
resilience of eco-systems.
Is essential for the survival of all living
entities.
This also includes weeds, pest and other
introduced species.
There are 3 levels of
biodiversity:
1. Genetic Diversity,
3. Ecosystem Diversity.
Is the total genetic information contained in the
genes of all species.
It also refers to the variation in genetic
information between species as well as the
variations between individuals of the same
species.
The different colouring found in one species of
kangaroos is an example of genetic diversity.
Another example the diversity of the Eucalypts.
Is the variety of species.
It refers to both the number of species and
the number of individuals within each
species.
For example, the different types of trees,
shrubs, birds and insects and the number of
each species you can find in your backyard.
Is the variety of habitats, natural communities
and ecological processes in the biosphere (The
part of the earth and its atmosphere in which
living organisms exist or that is capable of
supporting life).
Examples in Victoria include: Coastal, Alpine.
Agriculture, Urban, Woodlands ecosystems.
Mt pygmy
Possum has
had a dramatic
decline in
population size
and genetic
diversity over
the last 15 years
WHY?
Because of the variety of ecosystems and the diverse
and unique species within these ecosystems,
Australia is considered to have high levels of
biodiversity.
Australia has about 450,000 species, representing
around 10% of the species estimated to inhabit the
Earth.
Australia has over twice the number of species of
Europe, Canada and the United States combined.
Approx. 80% of Australias species are endemic
only found in Australia.
Examples
Include?
What does a healthy environment look like?
Possible Indicators include:
Water, Air, Soil:
Pollution,
ph. Levels,
Flow Patterns,
Nutrient Levels,
Visibility.
Natural Vegetation Coverage
Native Animal Population
Human Impact on Environment
Humans rely on water for basic human needs,
such as drinking and production of food.
Testing water quality and adequacy (how
much there is) can indicate how healthy our
water environments are.
Testing of water is done for taste, odour and
turbidity, temperature and pH levels.
No equipment is necessary as we use our
senses to determine the quality of water.
Undesirable taste may be caused by any organic
compound. Can be caused naturally or due to
sewage or other contaminants
The smell of water. The rotten egg/sewage smell of
still water due to rise in hydrogen sulphide levels.
The appearance of water. How murky or cloudy it
looks as a result of particles of clay, sand, silt, algae
etc.
Caused by less shade from removal of plants
and trees, particles in the water that absorb
heat, run off industries and power plants
Temperature effects photosynthesis rate
Warmer water holds less oxygen
Measures the acidity or alkaline levels in water.
Pure water has a pH of 7.0 (measured on a
scale of 1 (acid) to 14 (alkaline))
pH is affected by soils and rock, chemicals
released from industry and carbon dioxide
dissolved in water.
pH levels above 9.2 or below 4.8 can be
harmful to aquatic life.
Nitrogen in water Important for plant growth
Phosphorus in water Important nutrient for
plant growth
Dissolved oxygen high levels indicate healthy
rivers/streams, low levels indicates pollution
or decomposing vegetation.
Air is essential for all life.
It contains about 78% nitrogen (required for plant
growth), 21% O2, and smaller amounts of gasses
such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide
Smell
Ways of assessing:
Smog is something we can see. It is a build up of
industry and car fumes mixed with open fires
under certain climate conditions.
It is harmful to humans and to the health of
outdoor environments
Ways of assessing:
Smell is how we can assess weather invisible
substances such as sulfur dioxide are in the
atmosphere.
Sulfur oxide occurs from industry that burns fossil
fuels and is that nasty sharp smell that car fumes
make.
What does
healthy soil
look like?
Soil can seem like a bit of a meaningless hassle at
times. Dirt, dust and mud just seems normal in an
outdoor environment but it is an essential part of
healthy outdoor environments
Soil is where we get our crops from:
Milk
Eggs
Meet
Wool
Salinity
Erosion
Texture
Colour
Salt content
As well as its:
pH
Temperature
Organic content
Structure
Read the soil test on pages 247 and 248 and
summarize in your own words
Pest an animal or plant that interferes with
human land use.
Farmers are in constant battle with weeds and
animals that interfere with crops and livestock eg.
Rabbits, fox, feral cats.
Introduced species species of animals or
plants that are not native to an area.
Species such as Cane Toad, Deer, Horses that have
been brought into the environment for hunting or to
eradicate another species.
Eg. The Cane Toad was introduced to control the
native grey-backed cane beetle.
This dates back to the early settlers.
Now today.. What are some our threats?